19 March 2022 Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
From 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 12-14,16, NRSV
King David had proposed building a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. God, however, had different plans and instructed the prophet Nathan to tell David that he did not require him to build such a temple. In fact, it was God who was to establish the House of David. This was not to be a physical house but a dynasty that would last forever. Since there had never been a king succeeded by his son in Israel this was a remarkable promise. The Hebrew scriptures continually prophesied that the Messiah would come from the House of David and the ancestry of Joseph (of David’s line), whose feast we celebrate today, was a vital link in that chain. The courageous faith shown by Joseph in accepting Mary as his wife ensured that God’s promise to David could be fulfilled in the person of Jesus.
- What do you think David understood from this prophecy?
- Why do you think that Joseph was prepared to take Mary as his wife ?
You may like to pray a prayer or sing a hymn in honour of St. Joseph.
You can find a prayer at Novena prayer to St. Joseph – Oblates of St. Joseph (osjusa.org)
